Veterinary Externship

Veterinary Externship

We are proud to share our mission and passion for guide dogs, and the life-changing partnerships they form with our clients, with students who are eager to learn. Our organization offers a unique perspective compared to private practice. Veterinary or veterinary technician students gain hands-on experience in kennel management, husbandry, theriogenology, puppy development and training, and work with cutting edge technology alongside our experienced veterinary staff.

Our veterinary clinic operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and we expect veterinary students to be on-site during those hours. While after-hours emergencies occur from time to time, students are welcome, but not required, to participate.

Housing for veterinary externs is available in our residence facility, when there is a client class on campus. Each student is provided with a private room and bathroom, along with Wi-Fi and a small refrigerator. When the kitchen staff is on duty, breakfast and dinner are also provided. Thanks to a generous grant from the Abrams Foundation, housing is offered at no cost to veterinary externs. Please note: This is an unpaid externship; no stipend is provided.

On a typical day, we see 15 to 20 dogs for exams and six to eight dogs for anesthetic procedures. Several times a month, we may exceed 40 dogs seen in a day. We average 12 spay/neuter surgeries each week, along with a variety of other surgical procedures. Our practice exclusively serves dogs in the Leader Dog program, primarily Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers between the ages of two and 18 months.